Writing a PBL problem

Although writing a PBL problem will depend on the subject area, the following general steps can be used as a guide. 

Initial Concepts Choose a concept or principle which is taught in the course, then write a homework or tutorial style question which will help students to understand the concept.  Once this is done, list all of the learning objectives students should cover by working through the question.

A Real-World Setting  Try to develop a narrative around the problem which will give a real life setting for the concepts to be studied.   The context might be one in which the answer to the calculations matters to the outcome of the scenario.

Another way to start writing a problem is to collect ‘hooks’ (news items, pictures, papers etc.) forming a pool of resources from which you can select suitable material.

Structure  The problem should be structured so that students can identify the learning issues.  This can be done by considering

• What might the initial opening paragraph look like – in  particular what will engage the students to begin with (the hook)?

• What point of view or role should the students take (the scenario)?

• What use of language will focus the students on the correct learning objectives (triggers)?

• What initial or numerical information should be contained within the problem?

• How much time should the students spend on the problem and how should it be staged?

• What is the final product?

• What resources might students require to work through the problem – laboratory time, computer work etc.?

• Will lectures be used to support the problem?

Teaching Guide  It may be useful to write a short guide detailing how to use the problem and how it fits within the course structure. 

Resources  It can be advantageous to get the students started by identifying some resources; a few suggested references will help get things moving.

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This content is based on the Project LeAP Practice Guide to Problem-Based Learning in Physics and Astronomy, eds D J Raine and S L Symons, HEA Subject Centre for Physical Science, 2005, available here

Copyright © 2006 - PROJECT LEAP